UAE: Migrant Worker Abuses Linked to Broader Climate Harms
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Security companies ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Security companies , Gender not reported )Issues
Occupational Health & Safety , Heat exposure , Intimidation , Recruitment FeesResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Pakistan - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Denial of leave , Wage Theft , Failing to renew visas , Intimidation , Access to Non-Judicial RemedyResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Pakistan , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Wage Theft , Contract Substitution , Recruitment Fees , Restricted mobility , Freedom of Movement , Retention of identity documentsResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Pakistan - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Nepal - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Violence , Restricted mobilityResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Construction ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Pakistan , Construction , Gender not reported )Issues
Retention of identity documentsResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Agriculture & livestock ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 2
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Pakistan , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported )Issues
Excessive production targets , Recruitment Fees , Heat exposure , Occupational Health & Safety , Access to Water , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Right to FoodResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Wage Theft , Recruitment FeesResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
Summary
Date Reported: 21 Nov 2023
Location: United Arab Emirates
Other
Not Reported ( Sector not reported/applicable ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Wage Theft , Contract Substitution , Restricted mobility , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure TimeResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: NGO
- Migrant workers form 88 percent of the UAE population and often come from climate-vulnerable countries. UAE-based workers are exposed to escalating climate risks, especially extreme heat, which is linked to chronic health harms and even death.
- Widespread labor abuses like exorbitant recruitment fees and wage theft limit workers’ ability to send financial support back home, including during climate-linked extreme weather events.
- These abuses in the UAE, which is hosting the upcoming COP28 climate conference, contribute to climate injustice in multiple ways.
- Governments attending the conference should press the UAE for labor reforms and states should offer support to climate-vulnerable communities in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
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